I guess you can break out all the clichés for this one, and I'm not going to start spewing them, but the winner of this Monday Night Football game will more than likely have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

In Week 13, New Orleans travels to Seattle to take on the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Saints rushing offense versus Seahawks rushing defense:

The Saints’ rushing attack hasn’t been so punchless lately compared to where it was through the first several weeks of the season, but New Orleans still isn’t really scaring anyone on the ground with less than 100 yards per game on the ground and only seven rushing touchdowns this season. In potentially inclement weather Monday night, the Saints may need some yards here to win.

Seattle may be known for its dominant pass defense, but its rush defense is pretty good as well. The Seahawks have surrendered four scores on the ground. Only two teams have given up fewer entering Week 13. And they’ve forced seven fumbles. Only three teams have given up more.

Seattle has to get the advantage here.

Advantage: Seahawks

Saints passing offense versus Seahawks passing defense:

This is the matchup where the unstoppable force meets the immovable object. Both the Saints passing offense and the Seahawks passing defense rank second in the NFL in their respective categories.

Drew Brees has thrown 28 touchdowns compared to eight picks this year and averages better than 300 yards through the air per game. That’s getting it done.

Seattle, on the other hand, surrenders just 180 passing yards per game and is one of only five teams with more picks (16) than touchdowns (12) entering Week 13.

Seattle’s pass rush is fierce with 33 sacks in 2013 – four off the NFL lead entering Week 13, but the Saints have done a much better job keeping Brees upright in recent weeks, surrendering just five sacks in the past four games after a pretty horrific start protecting him. I’ve gotta push because either unit can win the game for their respective team here, however the potential for bad and certainly for cold weather seems to sway the pendulum toward Seattle.

Push

Seahawks rushing offense versus Saints rushing defense:

Saints fans don’t have to go deep into the recesses of their memory to remember how devastating Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks rushing attack can be. What was it, 10 Saints who missed tackles on that infamous play in January of 2011.

The Seahawks rushing attack has stayed strong since and ranks third in the NFL with 147.9 yards per game. Most of it is Lynch, but quarterback Russell Wilson has more than 400 yards this year, giving opponents another dynamic to worry about.

The Saints have been better versus the run in recent weeks after struggling to stop a nose bleed early on. They might revert back to early-season form Monday night versus the Beast and Co. New Orleans has given up 4.8 yards per carry, fourth worst in the NFL entering Week 13.

Give me the Seahawks to win this category, even if it’s just by forcing an eight and maybe ninth man into the box, opening things up down the field.

Advantage: Seahawks

Seahawks passing offense versus Saints passing defense:

This category has as much to do with the previous one as anything. If the Seahawks run well and force New Orleans’ hand defensively, passing lanes could open up down field. That’s Seattle’s formula, and it’s resulted in a very efficient 20 passing touchdowns and six picks from Russell Wilson this year.

New Orleans has been tremendous versus the pass with an NFL third-best 198 passing yards per game. Only two teams have given up fewer than the Saints’ 11 passing touchdowns allowed entering Week 13, and being tied for an NFL high 37 sacks entering Week 13 could be trouble for a Seattle team that’s given up an inordinately high 29 sacks for only 286 pass attempts this year.

I’m giving New Orleans the advantage here…… in a vacuum. However, if Seattle can control the game on the ground and make New Orleans go all out to stop the run, this advantage can be taken out of the equation in a hurry.

Advantage: Saints

Special teams:

Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka has been magnificent, making 24-of-25 attempts this year. On the other side, Garrett Hartley appears to have gotten past his little funk, making his last four attempts.

Thomas Morstead has the slight advantage over Seattle punter Jon Ryan distance-wise, however Seattle’s fabulous punt coverage unit and his hang time makes up for it in the net punting realm.

Neither team has given up or allowed a return touchdown this year.

Too close to call (if Hartley makes his kicks), so I’ll call a push.

Push

Coaching:

Each coach has done a fantastic job at their respective locations. Pete Carroll conveniently left USC at the right time and turned a lot of heads doing so, but he’s making the most of jump back to the NFL at the helm of one of the league’s best teams – if not the best.

Until he takes home a Lombardi Trophy though, Sean Payton and his impeccable record gets the nod here.